The Humidor: Spring 2017

The Humidor S P R I N G

P.2 Better than the Rest P.4 Mee t You r Tobac c onis t s P.5 Visitin g H onduras P.6 Must Smokes : 2017 P.8 Br ick Hou s e

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The Humidor is a publication of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.

Copyright 2017 ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. Reprinted reviews remain the copyright of the original publisher.

Allie Smallwood

Editor

Meghan Guarino

Contributing Editor

abcfws.com

BETTER THAN THE REST Meghan Guarino

In a world filled with endless listicles (that’s the hip term for

For this, we looked at which cigars sold the most as single sticks.

articles that are basically just lists), a few stand out from the rest:

Additionally, we based it on the number of sticks sold and not any sales

Cigar Aficionado’s yearly Top 25 and Buzzfeed’s endless supply

numbers—this way, you can see what people are picking up and taking

of cute animals. Allow me to add another list to your list of lists:

home. It’s not about the money, it’s about the cigars that our guests love.

ABC’s top-selling cigars.

So without further ado, here are ABC’s top 10 cigars!

10. Arturo Fuente Curly Head Natural

8. Oliva Nub Connecticut Shade

6. Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Toro

An easy-going smoke with a hint of nuttiness and mild sweetness.

This cigar starts off with a blast of spice before mellowing into a creamy, floral smoke.

Oatmeal and zippy cedar flavors with a woody tang explode from this medium strength cigar.

Price: $2.99/stick Filler: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Cameroon Vitola: Panatela Size: 6.5x43 Origin: Dominican Republic Strength:

Price: $5.99/stick Filler: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade Vitola: Rothschild Size: 4x60 Origin: Nicaragua Strength:

Price: $6.69/stick Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade Vitola: Toro Size: 6x54 Origin: Dominican Republic Strength:

mild

medium

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mild

medium

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9. Arturo Fuente Brevas Royal Natural

7. Arturo

Mellow tobacco with nutty flavors make for a very straightforward smoke.

Earth tones blend with mild nuttiness for a smooth smoke.

Price: $3.29/stick Filler: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Cameroon Vitola: Panatela Size: 6.5x43 Origin: Dominican Republic Strength:

Price: $2.99/stick Filler: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Cameroon Vitola: Corona Size: 5.5x42 Origin: Corona Strength: mild

medium

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Fuente Curly Head Deluxe Natural

mild

medium

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mild

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5. Acid Blondie Maduro A slight sweetness from the wrapper adds to the complexity of this already popular line of cigars.

Price: $4.49/stick Filler: Nicaragua Wrapper: Maduro Vitola: Panatela Size: 4x38 Origin: Nicaragua Strength: mild

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medium

medium

bold

4. Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Churchill An even draw gives hints of vanilla with a bit of char on the finish.

Price: $6.69/stick Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade Vitola: Churchill Size: 7x50 Origin: Dominican Republic Strength:

mild

medium

bold

3. Arturo Fuente Curly Head Deluxe Maduro This cigar is smooth and aromatic with a slightly sweet, mild flavor.

Price: $3.29/stick Filler: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Vitola: Panatela Size: 6.5x43 Origin: Dominican Republic Strength: mild

medium

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2. Acid Blondie Belicoso Infused with vanilla and spice for a sweet, yet mellow smoke with a medium body.

Price: $5.99/stick Filler: Nicaragua Wrapper: Connecticut Vitola: Belicoso Size: 5x54 Origin: Nicaragua Strength: mild

medium

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1. Acid Blondie This smoke shows sweetness on a robust body with notes of honey and cream.

Price: $4.49/stick Filler: Nicaragua Wrapper: Connecticut Vitola: Corona Size: 4x38 Origin: Nicaragua Strength: mild

medium

bold

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Meet Your Tobacconists Allie Smallwood

Our commitment to quality reveals itself in many ways at ABC, yet one we’re always excited about is the service we provide. Part of giving excellent service to our guests includes educating our team members. Allow me to introduce to you our tobacconists. Our cigar guests are near and dear to our hearts so we go to great lengths to make sure that they’re served properly. By training and educating team members who adore cigars and tobacco we have staff who are well-versed, helpful and passionate.

A tobacconist is an ambassador for cigars and premium tobacco products, and it is their primary responsibility to make sure that their guests purchase products

a true tobacconist. A salesman will often sell what they like to smoke, while a tobacconist determines what cigar is the right fit for the guest.

Passing the 100-question exam requires knowledge of the history of tobacco, the entire process of creating a cigar from seed to final product, an understanding of blending tobacco, methods of humidification, proper use of cutters and lighters, tasting profiles of various tobaccos, and most importantly the best way to serve our guests. There are approximately 370 CRTs in the country of which 60 are in Florida, 31 of whom work at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.

they will enjoy. That second part is crucial; it’s what separates a salesman from

Below are four out of 31, and these team members really know their stuff. Read on to see what a Tobacconist smokes, dreams of smoking and recommends!

HEATHER ROGERS, TAMPA

LIZ HOLLAND, ST. PETERSBURG

KENNETH RANSOM, JACKSONVILLE

MARCUS HESS, JACKSONVILLE

Favorite way to help guests?

Anyway I can, whether it’s finding something new or helping a guest buy a gift. I love helping non-smokers shop with confidence and teach them something new.

Favorite way to help guests?

I listen to what they have had in the past and why they like that selection and try to find something that would appeal to them based on that.

Favorite way to help guests?

I do the best I can by creating an experience filled with humor and a relaxed shopping experience.

Favorite way to help guests?

Sharing their passion and providing new suggestions that will please their taste.

Why shop at a store with a Tobacconist?

Having someone knowledgeable enough to take you on an adventure in one of our humidors. I can’t begin to describe the feeling when someone tries one of my picks and falls in love.

What’s the advantage of shopping at a store with a Tobacconist?

For a lot of people who are just starting out it’s helpful to go to a store with a Tobacconist, as I can answer any questions and I can get them started with a cigar that is going to provide them with a positive first experience.

Why shop at a store with a Tobacconist?

There are so many advantages— guests can buy their cigars with confidence knowing that they have been properly maintained and cared for, have someone knowledgeable to answer questions, or just have a conversation with someone who’s just as passionate about cigars.

Current favorite cigar?

Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Connecticut Favorite cigar pairing?

I love a good cigar with a nice stout.

My current favorite pairing is Tabak Especial Dulce and Prairie Bomb.

Dream cigar destination?

Nicaragua

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Why shop at a store with a Tobacconist?

We have an understanding of what the differing characteristics of a cigar are and the area of the world they were produced in.

Current favorite cigar?

Kentucky Fire Cured by Drew Estate Favorite cigar pairing?

Kentucky Fire Cured and Weller 12 Year Dream cigar destination?

The Cigar Safari with Drew Estate was a wonderful experience. You see seed to stick, and the Nicaraguan people as well as the team at Drew Estate are hospitable and made learning fun.

Current favorite cigar?

That’s like asking a parent to pick a favorite child. Caldwell’s Blindman’s Bluff, AJ Fernandez Last Call, Aging Room F55 and Rocky Patel Sungrown Maduro are all awesome, but if I could only smoke one more cigar before I die, it has to be Drew Estate T52.

Favorite cigar pairing?

I generally pair a cigar to whatever I am drinking at the time.

Dream cigar destination?

I have never been on a cigar trip.

I would love to someday.

Current favorite cigar?

My most recent cigar that I’m going to keep in rotation is the Camacho Connecticut Toro with its gorgeous wrapper, beautifully balanced flavors and a draw that really reinforces the pleasure of a cigar after a hard day’s work.

Favorite cigar pairing?

I’ve been on a fortified wine kick lately and one of my ultimate favorites is the Serafino Tawny.

This goes really well with the Liga Undercrown Gran Toro by Drew Estate.

Dream cigar destination?

La Gran Fabrica of Drew Estate.

Visiting Honduras with Davidoff Chris Gwaltney Certified Retail Tobacconist, @abccigarchris

There are so many cigar makers in business

Schneider and Jon Brimmer, and of course

today. So many, in fact, that it is impossible for

yours truly made the adventurous landing into

us to sell cigars from each of them. We must

Toncontin Airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. With

make some tough decisions in regards to which

a group this small it makes it easier for everyone

cigars we choose for our humidors. Our number

to get their questions answered. It is also easier

one discriminator when it comes to choosing a

to watch the looks on everyone’s faces when the

cigar is its consistency in quality and availability.

plane makes its crazy landing with giant rocks

It does our guests very little if we are only able

on one side, houses stacked on the other, and a

to get a great cigar once with the subsequent

short runway that ends with more rocks.

batches being subpar. We want to source products that are always of high quality. One way of assuring this is by visiting the factories

After our adventurous entry into the country, Brian Thompson, Chris Gwaltney, Gretchen Schneider and Jon Brimmer getting sneak peak of the new Camacho facilities.

and seeing every step of the cigar operation.

I must say that it was very impressive. It is the

Though we often make our buying decisions

most modern factory I have ever visited and

before making a visit to their facilities, getting

the scale at which they will be able to produce

a chance to see them serves as affirmation

cigars here will be unmatched by anyone else

to our decision.

in Central America. The bright Camacho colors adorn every building and every room. The layout of the factory is also very efficient with production facilities located near the sorting areas, while the storage and shipping areas are located below and accessible by two large freight elevators. The business offices are separate from the production area but easily accessible by a

our gracious hosts, led By Oscar Butler from Davidoff, made sure that everyone on the trip was taken care of and every question answered.

We stayed in a local hotel so our afternoons were spent with some very entertaining trips to the grocery store and various other small shops. The people of Honduras are very accommodating and though the country is considered a dangerous place by our state department, the rural areas in which the cigars are produced and the tobacco is grown are the exception to the rule. This area is full of warm and inviting people who are not much different than the folks who reside in rural America.

catwalk that connects the two buildings. They have also constructed a nice visiting center that will house guests who come for a visit. Yes, you can spend the night in a room overlooking the factory and surrounding hillsides.

Camacho factory workers making cigars.

New construction on this trip was not just

One cigar company whose name is synonymous

limited to the cigar factory. We also go to see

with quality and consistency is Davidoff. We

a new farming operation being built. We were

have been partnering with them for several years

witnesses to new greenhouses, as well as

selling their Camacho, Avo and Cusano lines.

several new curing barns under various stages

We even sell some of their Davidoff tins and

of construction. Visiting the farms in September

cigarillos. As we continue to expand our offerings

gives you a unique perspective as far as the

The look of a beer buyer when he is asked to roll a cigar.

from them it was nice to finally get a chance

agricultural aspect of things. The planting season

Everyone came away with a new appreciation for

to visit their operations in Honduras. Our trip

is just about to start as the greenhouses are full

not only cigars but the people who make them.

consisted of visiting their current cigar factory,

while the fields and barns are empty. Getting

The culture is quite infectious and I have never

their soon-to-open cigar factory, a box factory,

to see the preparation that goes into preparing

taken anyone on a cigar trip that didn’t return as

a sorting and processing facility, and several

for the season is something that I have missed

a fan of cigars. This one proved no exception.

tobacco farms.

on my previous visits which have all occurred

Whether it was the food, the opportunity to

between January and May.

roll their own cigars, or just the hospitality and

trip there is always something new that you learn

Another great thing about this trek to Honduras

occasional rum cocktail, a great time was had

on each quest. The theme of this trip was new

was the size of the party. There were just four of

by all. I can’t wait to go back and see all the new

construction. We were amongst the first visitors

us from ABC. Brian Thompson, our beer buyer,

to the brand-new Camacho cigar factory and

along with two of our team leaders, Gretchen

No matter how many times you partake in a cigar

buildings in action. s

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Must Smokes: 2017 Centurion H-2K-CT Toro Enclave Churchill

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Henry Clay Stalk Cut Toro NorteĂąo Robusto Grande

Steve Mungeer Certified Retail Tobacconist, @abccigarmungo

Ah, the fresh breath of air that is spring is upon

other sizes of the Brick House Corona Larga,

us. It’s a great season to get to know a plethora of

which represents an outstanding value in cigars.

cigars, with the amazing weather and longer days.

The El Centurion H-2K-CT Toro from My Father

A good place to start is with Cigar Aficionado’s

Tobacco has been in our portfolio for several years

Top 25 to see what the experts feel are the best

now and is one of my favorites. With a full flavor

offerings of the past year. Not only is it interesting

profile and a unique hybrid wrapper this is a smoke

to look at the specific smokes, but analyzing

worth adding to your humidor and it comes in at

this group gives a little insight into the trends

#16 with a 93 rating. Coming in at #13, and also

and industry.

made by My Father Tobacco but distributed by

The first thing I noticed this year was that to make this prestigious list required a rating from Cigar Aficionado of at least a 92. That definitely makes this a pretty lofty list since ratings that high are hard to come by. The other very noticeable fact this

Ashton, is La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Belicoso.

With its dark San Andres wrapper and Nicaraguan filler this is a strong and powerful smoke that is still smooth and very complex and well worth a visit to our humidors to grab a few!

year is that 12 of the top 25 are Nicaraguan cigars

So now we move into the top 10 of this prestigious

which validates the opinions that some of the best

list. We can find #8 (Oliva V Melanio Robusto) on

smokes are now coming out of that country. Also

our shelves next to its big brother the Figurado,

interesting is that there are only three Cuban cigars

which was Cigar of the Year for 2014. This full-

on the list with the highest rated cigar coming in

bodied smoke is complex with sweet, woody

third. I also noticed a predominance of Robustos

flavors and is very smooth. While we don’t carry

in this list and the absence of the big ring gauge

the #7 Norteño Robusto Grande, you will find his

cigars. Those of us who enjoy a good smoke know

friends the Belicoso and the Toro adorning our

that a Robusto or Corona tends to be an ideal

shelves, and these smokes are as remarkable as

smoke since it doesn’t take two hours to enjoy,

the Robusto with their flavors of earth and cocoa.

and many of us shy away from the big ring gauge

Coming in at #4 is the EPC Seleccion Oscuro

cigars since they are overwhelmingly filler tobacco

Piramides Royal from the master of full-flavored

and so much of the flavor of a good cigar lies in the

smokes, Ernesto P Carillo. This just recently

high-quality wrapper. I also noticed a lot of parity

arrived on our shelves, and while dark and

this year with over 20 different manufacturers in

imposing, it reflects a perfect blend that does not

this top 25. So let’s take a look at the list and see

overpower. With a hint of sweetness, rich cocoa

what ABC has to offer!

and fruit this 94-rated beauty needs to be in your

The top 25 does have some mainstream cigars but it unfortunately also includes some smokes that are not easily found at either ABC or your local brick and mortar. We strive to get our hands on many of these, hoping they will receive the high

humidor. And while we do not carry the #2 Rocky Patel Sun Grown Maduro Robusto we do carry his bigger brothers in the Toro and Gigante size and these are outstanding, full-bodied, rich and slightly sweet versions of what Nicaragua has to offer.

ratings but it is always a bit of guesswork. We do

The #1 Cigar of the Year, the La Flor Domincana

carry #22, the Henry Clay Stalk Cut Toro, which is

Andalusian Bull is not one we carry and for all

a full-flavored beauty with a Connecticut Broadleaf

my searching I still have not found one! A limited

wrapper and aged fillers from the Dominican and

production that made its appearance at this past

Nicaragua. The #17 cigar we unfortunately don’t

IPCPR show, it is not readily available but

carry the specific size of, but we do carry three

definitely one I will keep an eye out for. s Page 7

8989 South Orange Ave.

The Humidor

Orlando, Florida 32824

Brand Brick House is an homage to Julius Caesar

Nicaraguan Habano wrapper and boasts rich flavors

Newman’s boyhood home in Hungary that was

of cedar and earth with hints of pepper. The Maduro

first developed in 1937. After the Cuban Embargo

is a darker stick with its Brazilian Araparica wrapper.

cut off the supply for the Cuban tobacco and

It also has some darker, deeper flavors than its

made this cigar, it was discontinued. It was

lighter cousin. Dark cocoa and rich espresso flavors

later revamped and reintroduced by JC’s

permeate this stick and deliver Maduro lovers all

grandsons, Bobby and Eric Newman. This time,

the satisfaction they seek. Both sticks come in as

instead of relying on tobacco from old Havana,

a medium to full-bodied smoking experience on the

this beauty is now constructed and aged in

strength scale.

Nicaragua, the country of origin for the leaf that now makes up this Central American stunner.

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Breakdown

At ABC we offer several vitolas in each cigar. We offer both Natural and Maduro in Mighty Mighty

It comes in two distinctive flavor profiles, a Natural

(6X60) and Robusto (5X54) while the Natural is

and a Maduro. The Natural is encased in a lovely

also offered in Churchill (7.2X50). s